Check if your note is genuine

The new banknotes meet Switzerland’s traditionally high security standards for its currency. They have numerous security features – some new, some tried and tested. Using a range of technologies, these features are incorporated into the note’s innovative, three-layer substrate (Durasafe®). The new series offers a unique combination of complex security features and sophisticated design, making it difficult to counterfeit.

Although the design elements differ from note to note, the security concept is identical across the entire series. The security features described here are based on those of the 50-franc note.

GLOBE TEST

Feature:

Test:

Tilt the note from left to right: a golden arc moves across the globe.

Hold the note in front of you and tilt it backwards: the colour of the globe changes.

SECURITY STRIP TEST

Feature:

In the bottom half of the note is a security strip.

Test:

Tilt the note from left to right: red and green numbers appear on four lines. On tilting, the numbers on these lines move in opposite directions.

Hold the note in front of you: in silver, you will see a map of Switzerland, the Alps, the names of the main four-thousand-metre peaks in the Swiss Alps and the number 50.

Slowly tilt the note backwards: the outline of Switzerland and the Swiss Alps appear in rainbow colours. In addition to this, little shining Swiss crosses are visible inside the number 50.

CROSS TEST

Feature:

On the top left of the note – at position A – is a transparent Swiss cross.

Test:

Hold the Swiss cross up to the light: it will turn into the Swiss flag.

HAND TEST

Feature:

The hand, the number 50 and the bank’s name can be felt thanks to the raised print produced by intaglio printing.

Test:

Run your fingers over the hand: you will be able to feel the raised print. Rub the hand onto a piece of light-coloured paper: it will leave behind traces of colour.

Run your fingers over the number 50 or the bank’s name: you will be able to feel the raised print. Rub the number 50 or the bank’s name onto a piece of light-coloured paper: they will leave behind traces of colour.

MICROPERF®

Feature:

A perforated Swiss cross can be found at position D.

Test:

Hold the note up to the light: the finely perforated Swiss cross appears especially clearly. The cross is made up of a grid of equidistant holes.

TACTILE ELEMENTS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Feature:

Along the long edges of the note are blocks of short, raised lines to help the visually impaired.

Test:

Run your fingers along the edges of the note: the tactile lines can be clearly felt. In the case of the 50-franc note, there are three blocks of these tactile lines.

WATERMARK

Feature:

At position E, two watermarks – the Swiss flag and the globe – are incorporated into the note.

Test:

Hold the note up to the light: on the left, you can see the outline of the Swiss flag and, on the right, the globe.

TILT EFFECT

Feature:

At position C, the Swiss cross is printed in such a way that it can only be seen from a particular angle.

Test:

Hold the note in front of you and tilt it backwards: the Swiss cross stands out from the background.

SEE-THROUGH REGISTER

Feature:

In the lower section of the note is an incomplete Swiss cross.

Test:

Hold the note up to the light: a complete Swiss cross appears in outline.

MICROTEXT

Feature:

At position B, inside the Swiss flag, you will find a piece of text written in the four national languages.

Test:

Examine the Swiss flag with a magnifying glass: you can make out the text in microlettering. Some of the text is in dark letters on a light background and some in light-coloured letters on a dark background.

ULTRAVIOLET GLOBE

Feature:

At the top right of the note is a globe which only becomes visible under ultraviolet light.

Test:

Examine the note under ultraviolet light: the globe will show up brightly, while the background remains dull in contrast.

ULTRAVIOLET FIBRES

Feature:

The paper contains flecks which only become visible under ultraviolet light.

Test:

Examine the note under ultraviolet light: all over the note you will see flecks light up in different colours.

INFRARED PROPERTIES

Feature:

Both sides of the note contain infrared properties.

Test:

Examine the note with an infrared camera: the appearance changes, with certain elements turning monochrome and others disappearing altogether.